Anti-Venom question

[KuhnDog]

Ok, this is kind of a random question...

The other day I was watching a special on deadly spiders (Black Widows, Funnel Webs, etc). Anyway, it said that you can only be treated w/ anti-venom for a spider bite ONCE. And if you end up being bitten again, you're limited to being pumped full of morphine or whatever else (and hope it works). One guy who was a gardener and was bitten by a Funnel Web, opted not to have the anti-venom. After an extreamely long recovery, he said that (being a gardener) he wouldn't be surprised if he got bit again -But if so, he would get the anti-venom, because it was so painful for so long the first time around.

Thought all that was kinda interesting, and wondered if anyone else has ever heard that, and if it is true for snake anti-venom as well??
Thanks.

[BWSmith]

It is held true for all horse serums.

[Cobraman]

Actually, you stand a higher chance of being sensitized to horse serum after the first use, but it it not necessarily the case. I have been given antivenoms (horse serum) three times and am not allergic. Even if you are sensitive to the antivenom, the treating physician has to decide if he is going to give it anyway (and expect to treat you for anaphilactic shock) or if you can pull through the bite without it. If you have a sever envenomation, the Dr. should still give antivenom, and be prepared to treat the shock.

[RevMojo]

How's that all work anyway...I'm bad, bad, bad allergic to horses...don't know about the serum though.

[Cobraman]

I would bet that you are. E.R. Docs are supposed to skin test you prior to antivenin administration. That means that they inject.2ml of the serum interdermally. If you have a reaction, than you are most likely going to be allergic. Call me if you need more info. 772-215-7625

[haroldo359]

hey, Rev, howja find out you are allergic to horses?

[faze]

...i think rev told me that story once..... i think it started out with something along the lines of a bartender a horse and a bet.....but i might be mistaken.... lol

[BWSmith]

Thanks Ray, I was too tired to elaborate, so I used vague terminology. Most Horse serums are considered a "one shot deal", you can get them once. After that, you stand a higher possibility of hypersensitivity. But, as Ray mentioned, it also depends on the severity of the envenomation. Lesser of two evils. Venom or Anaphylaxis ........ it depends on which is the most life threatening at the time.

On a good note, CroFab is the (primary) Antivenin used here in the U.S. for crotalid envenomations. CroFab is derived from sheep rather than horses and seems to hold a much lower chance of allergic reaction. I am aware of one case thus far where someone had to receive CroFab twice and there were no ill effects.

[KuhnDog]

Interesting...

Thanks, guys!

[Majexto]

Lol thats scary that you can only get it once. I hate spiders.. no offense to any spider people here...